Authors: Christina Brunkhorst
Torn
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
An
Original
Publication of
Krysia's Web Books
KRYSIA'S WEB BOOKS, a division of Krysia’s Web.
910 W. Idaho Street, Lewistown, MT 59457
Copyright
© 2008, 2011 Krysia’s Web &
Christina Brunkhorst
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher, Krysia’s Web Books (Christina Brunkhorst), 910 W. Idaho Street, Lewistown, MT 59457.
ISBN:
0-9754756-0-6 (Krysia’s Web Edition, 2008)
Smashwords eISBN: 978-1-4659-1344-9
First Krysia’s Web Books Edition February 2008
First
Smashwords.com
Edition December 2011
Smashwords Edition License Notes
: This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this eBook with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to
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and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
Fonts used: Garamond and Sheer Grace
Cover design by Christina Brunkhorst/Krysia’s Web
Visit us at
http://www.krysiasweb.net
&
www.krysiaswebbooks.com
~ TORN ~
Table of Contents
The author acknowledges the trademarked and/or copyright status and owners of the following mentioned in this work of fiction:
(in no particular order)
Oscar
®
, Best Actor
®
: Academy Awards
“Erika Kane”:
All My Children
, ABC-TV
Coke Classic
®
: The Coca-Cola Company
Golden Höfner
®
: Karl Höfner GmbH & Co. KG
Fiesta
®
: Homer Laughlin China Company
Corona
®
: Grupo Modelo S.A. de C.V.
Hefeweizen
®
: Widmer Brothers Brewing
Coke
®
: The Coca-Cola Company
Mountain Dew
®
: Pepsi Co., Inc.
Xbox
®
: Microsoft Corporation
Google
™
: Google.com
Golden Globe
®
: Hollywood Foreign Press Association
Jose Cuervo Black
®
: Tequila Cuervo
Moose Drool
®
: Big Sky Brewing Company
Jell-O
®
: Kraft Foods, Inc.
Wranglers
®
: Wrangler Jean Co.
Copenhagen
®
: U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co.
Apple
®
: Apple, Inc.
“Elizabeth Webber”:
General Hospital
, ABC-TV
“Jason Morgan”:
General Hospital
, ABC-TV
General Hospital
®
: ABC-TV
Chevy Suburban
®
: General Motors Corporation
People
®
: Time, Inc.
Formica
®
: Formica Corporation
Levis
®
: Levi Strauss & Co.
Georgia Boot
®
: Georgia Boot Co.
Rolls-Royce
®
: Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
Prada
®
: Prada
F
or Mom, Betsy Dane-Clinton, with love, gratitude, and admiration… I inherited The Writers’ Bug from her, and she recognized and encouraged the affliction. Thank you so much for all your support… and for hooking me up with Apple Macs throughout the years! I love you!!!
For Aunt Ali, Alexandra Dane Dor-Nor… Her encouragement and enthusiasm kept me believing. I miss you. R.I.P.
For Carmen Ortiz-Hendrix, “Godmother”, kindred reader… Who always looked forward to reading my work, regardless of the draft… Thank you!
For
Julie Harrington
, romance writer extraordinaire… The best Critter a writer could ever have. I’ll always love Things Change, Dance with the Devil, and Tequila Sinful (available through
http://www.jtlff.net
-- et*hem*, LOL!) because they brought us together. And of course Power Play, cause we’re twisted like that. *evil grin* Thank you for sharing your talent with me and Krysia’s Web Books. Love you, Girlfriend.
For Julie’s mom, Fellow March 22
nd
Lady… My readers have you to thank for the Comma – Adjective Cut of 2008 and yes, this
is
Fantasy Isle. ;-)
For all those who visit Krysia’s Web and have offered feedback and support and encouragement… Who kept poking La Muse of Torn… Thank you. She’s a stubborn muse, and I needed all the help I could get! LOL…
For all those who have ever wondered “What If...?”…
For Willie Nelson, whose beautiful song, “It’s Not Supposed to Be That Way” was Torn’s inspiration.
~ and ~
For my daughters, Marie & Mina, my sons Marlen & Mokeem, and my husband, Dan… The best inspiration a writer could ever have… The deepest love a person could ever share. Thank you… Especially for your patience!!! It took
freaking
forever
… But I did it!!!
I
t was the slap heard around the world.
Everyone on the movie set tucked between Dillon and Bozeman, Montana –– from extra to grip to international film star –– turned with unabashed eyes to watch the drama unfold.
Vivian Cray, an actress with Halle Berry’s looks but not her purported demeanor, stormed through the sea of extras towards her trailer. The ear-piercing sound of a megaphone hitting a wall followed in her wake and echoed across the newly erected “town” streets.
Julie Bishop, a movie director with a reputation for eviscerating wit and inspiring films, tore after the actress, angry determination fueling her steps. “Now I
know,
” the striking black woman called after her, “that I did
not
just see you crack my star in the face! And I
know
you did
not
just walk off
my
set!”
It didn’t take long for the taller woman to catch up with the outraged younger one. With a slender gold brow arched, Julie stepped in front of Vivian and stopped her by holding a hand out in front of the actress’ face. “Because,” the film maker continued, “you would have to be outside your mind to consider pulling that diva crap with me.”